At first glance, Kelsey Merritt’s Moulin Rouge costume looked like pure Hollywood fantasy—crystal fringe, beadwork, and a silhouette that felt straight from a Parisian cabaret. But behind the sparkle was a story of creative sustainability and the kind of resourcefulness that defines independent fashion in Los Angeles today.

As the founder of Quirk and Couture Zen, I spend most of my time balancing the worlds of vintage fashion and high-concept costume design. This particular build began with a rescued 1980s showgirl corset—vintage, yes, but far from the end of its life. Using it as the structural base, I re-engineered the entire garment with repurposed high-end textiles sourced from neighboring designers in my DTLA showroom building.

They had saved these fabrics from their own production runs—premium silks, sequined mesh, and metallic fringe that were moments away from being discarded. By redirecting those materials into something new, the costume became more than a Halloween look; it became a commentary on the value of re-use and the artistry that thrives outside traditional supply chains.